More Fall Fishing...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
The days are getting shorter. The sun up later in the morning and goes down earlier in the evening. There is a chill in the air when I go down to the harbor and aboard the boat. The radio is strangely quite. No one is on the water. This does not mean the fish are gone, just the economy's effect on our September fishing. When we do get out there is now problem finding either the bluefish or some nice sized stripers.
We've had some good trips out of Rock Harbor. Fortunately the striped bass have moved closer to home. We need not go to Barnstable Harbor or up to P-town to find striped bass in the 20 to 30 pound range. All we need to do is check out Billingsgate Shoals and if they are not there go out to the Square and start jigging there. We are forced to use our long jigging wires (450 ft.) in the deep water but it is the best way we've found. Now and then when the schools of fish are closer to the surface the umbrella rigs will work but the larger bass are on the bottom in 40 to 50 feet of water and you need to use the long jig wires to get to them.
As for the bluefish, they are mixed in with the stripers in the deep water but they can also be found in along the Eastham shore. This is my favorite area to fish for bluefish. You can use light trolling tackle in there and on occasion find fish to cast on. My favorite way is with the light action trolling tackle such as rod and reel combinations using 6 lb. test line. This is a real challenge for any angler.
Some of the areas to check out. As the season comes to close the bass and bluefish have, in the past, gathered in certain locations. The best known is Billingsgate Shoals and next is the deep water off Great Island and around the square area. There the umbrella rigs or the long jigging wires work best. One other area is the Brewster Flats and just off the edge of the flats. This area has not been very productive so far this season but with the herring coming out of the runs, it just might come alive.
My bet is either the shoals or the deep water off the shoals. So, I'll see you out there at least a few more times this fall. Good luck...
If you want to keep track of what is happening off the outer beaches give the Goose Hummock a call at 508-255-0455. To fish Cape Cod Bay call me at 508-240-8267.
